NHL X Factor Edition: Who Will Be the Next Stanley Cup Champion?

NHL X Factor Edition: Who Will Be the Next Stanley Cup Champion?

In this edition of NHL X Factor, we take a look at who could be the next Stanley Cup champion. With so many good teams in the mix, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will come out on top. Who do you think will be the next Stanley Cup champion?

NHL Teams that have the best chance to win the Stanley Cup

In recent years the NHL has seen a changing of the guard when it comes to teams that are in contention for the Stanley Cup The Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings who have combined to win six of the last eight Stanley Cups are no longer the dominant teams they once were. The Tampa Bay Lightning who won the Stanley Cup in 2020, are also on the decline. So which teams have the best chance to win the Stanley Cup in 2021?

Here are three NHL teams that have a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup this season:

1. The Colorado Avalanche are one of the most complete teams in the NHL. They have an elite offense, led by Nathan MacKinnon, and a defense that is solid from top to bottom. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer has also been outstanding this season.

2. The Vegas Golden Knights have been one of the best teams in the NHL over the last two seasons. They have a deep lineup and an outstanding goaltender in Marc-Andre Fleury.

3. The Toronto Maple Leafs have all the pieces in place to make a run at the Stanley Cup this season. They have an elite offense, led by Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and a defense that is much improved from last season.

Players who could be the X-factor for their team in the playoffs

The Stanley Cup playoffs are just around the corner, and there are a lot of Great players who could be the X-factor for their team. Here are some of the players who could make a big difference in the playoffs:

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers – The best player in the world is always a candidate to be an X-factor. McDavid is an offensive dynamo who can take over a game at any moment. He has carried the Oilers to a playoff spot this season and will need to continue to do so if they want to make a deep run.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins – Crosby is one of the most experienced and successful players in the NHL. He knows what it takes to win in the playoffs and always elevates his game when it matters most. If the Penguins are going to make a run at another Stanley Cup Crosby will need to be leading the way.

Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens – Price is one of the best goaltenders in the world and he has proved it time and time again in the playoffs. He has the ability to steal games and give his team a chance to win every night. If Montreal is going to make some noise in the playoffs, they will need Price to be at his best.

Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs – Marner is an explosive offensive player who can change a game with his speed and skill. He struggled at times during the regular season but he has all the ability in the world and could be a difference-maker for the Maple Leafs in the playoffs.

These are just some of the players who could be X-factors for their teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs It will be exciting to see how they perform on hockey’s biggest stage.

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning are the favourites to win the Stanley Cup

It’s no secret that the Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the best teams in the NHL. They’ve been near the top of the standings for years and have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals twice in the past three years. So, it’s no surprise that they’re once again one of the favourites to win it all this season.

There are a few reasons why the Lightning are so strong this year. First, they have one of the best offenses in the league. They’re led by captain Steven Stamkos, who is having another great season, and Brayden Point, who is one of the best young players in the league. They also have a solid defense, led by Norris Trophy candidate Victor Hedman.

But perhaps the biggest reason why Tampa Bay is so successful is because of their Head Coach Jon Cooper. Cooper has been with the Lightning since 2013 and has helped turn them into one of the most successful teams in the NHL. He’s a great tactician and knows how to get his team to play at their best when it matters most.

So, if you’re looking for a team to root for this postseason, make sure to keep an eye on the Tampa Bay Lightning They have all the ingredients necessary to win their second Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.

How the Vegas Golden Knights can upset the favourites in the playoffs

In recent years the Stanley Cup playoffs have been largely dominated by the same teams. The Chicago Blackhawks Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins have combined to win eight of the last Ten Championships However, there may be a new team emerging this year that can challenge for the title.

The Vegas Golden Knights have had a terrific inaugural season and sit atop the Western Conference with 109 points. They are led by goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who has been outstanding all season, and have a deep and balanced lineup.

What makes the Golden Knights a threat to the established order is that they do not seem to be intimidated by anyone. In their first season, they have already beaten playoff teams like the Nashville Predators Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks

If they can keep up their play in the playoffs, there is no reason why they cannot make a deep run and perhaps even win the Stanley Cup

The dark horse teams that could make a run at the Stanley Cup

With the NHL playoffs just around the corner, there’s plenty of speculation about which team will take home the Stanley Cup this year. While the favorites are always the teams that have been dominant throughout the regular season there’s always a chance for a dark horse team to make a run at the title.

In recent years we’ve seen teams like the Los Angeles Kings and the Chicago Blackhawks come from seemingly out of nowhere to win it all. So which teams could be this year’s dark horse candidates?

Here are a few teams that could make a run at the Stanley Cup

The Boston Bruins are a team that always seems to fly under the radar. Despite being one of the top teams in the league year after year, they always seem to be overshadowed by other teams in their conference. But with a strong core of veteran players and one of the best goalies in the league, they could definitely make some noise in this year’s playoffs.

Another team to watch out for is the San Jose Sharks. They’ve been one of the best teams in recent years but have never been able to get over the hump and win it all. But with a lineup that includes some of the best players in the league, they’re always a team that could make a deep run in the playoffs.

So while there are always favorites in every playoff race, don’t count out these dark horse candidates when predicting who will hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup this season.

How the new playoff format could impact the Stanley Cup race

The 2019-20 NHL season is just around the corner, and with a new playoff format in place, it should be an interesting race to the Stanley Cup

Under the new format, the top three teams in each division will automatically qualify for the playoffs, while the remaining two spots will be filled by the two next-best teams in the conference, regardless of division.

This could have a big impact on which team comes out of each conference, as there will no longer be any “guaranteed” spot for a division winner.

In the Eastern Conference it’s wide open at the top, with any one of a number of teams having a realistic shot at winning it all. The Tampa Bay Lightning are the defending champs and are still loaded with talent, but they’ll have to get past a number of strong challengers.

The Boston Bruins are perennial contenders and have made some key additions this offseason, while the Toronto Maple Leafs have perhaps the most talented lineup in the conference. The Washington Capitals are also always dangerous, and don’t discount teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers

It should be an exciting race to watch unfold, and anyone could come out on top. My dark horse pick is the Carolina Hurricanes – they might not be as flashy as some of their counterparts but they always seem to find a way to win when it matters most.

The key injuries that could impact the Stanley Cup race

Injuries always play a role in determining who wins the Stanley Cup and this season is no different. With so many high-profile players sidelined, it’s hard to know who will come out on top. Here’s a look at some of the key injuries that could impact the Stanley Cup race.

1. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins): Crosby is one of the best players in the world and his absence will be felt by the Penguins. He’s currently sidelined with a concussion and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return.

2. Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens): Price is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL and his absence has been felt by the Canadiens. He’s currently sidelined with a lower-body injury and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return.

3. Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks): Toews is one of the best two-way players in the NHL and his absence has been felt by the Blackhawks. He’s currently sidelined with an upper-body injury and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return.

4. Jakub Voracek (Philadelphia Flyers): Voracek is one of the best wingers in the NHL and his absence has been felt by the Flyers. He’s currently sidelined with a lower-body injury and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return.

The goaltenders that could steal the show in the playoffs

In a league with so much parity, the margin for error is often razor-thin. That’s especially true come playoff time, when one lucky bounce or spectacular save can decide a series.

So as the NHL postseason approaches, we’re taking a look at the X factors for all 16 playoff teams. These are the players who could make or break their team’s Stanley Cup dreams.

For some teams, it’s a star player who needs to find another gear. For others, it’s a role player who needs to step up in a big way. And for a couple of clubs, it’s the goaltender who will need to steal the show if they want to hoist the Cup in June.

Here are four goaltenders who could make or break their team’s championship aspirations:

Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
Rask was otherworldly in leading the Bruins to the Stanley Cup final last year, posting a .934 save percentage in 25 starts. But he regressed this season, finishing with a .912 save percentage that was below league average. The 32-year-old netminder needs to find his championship form if the Bruins want to make another deep run.

Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
Rinne was excellent during the Regular Season posting a .929 save percentage that was among the best in the league. But he has been prone to inconsistency in past postseasons, and at 37 years old, there are questions about whether he has enough gas left in the tank for another long playoff run. The Predators will go as far as Rinne takes them.

Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Hellebuyck had an up-and-down regular season but came on strong down the stretch with seven wins in his final eight starts. He also has plenty of playoff experience, having started 28 games over the last two years (including 20 last year). The 27-year-old will need to be at his best if the Jets want to make a deep run this year.

Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Price is perhaps the most talented goaltender in the league when he’s on his game, but he hasn’t been at his best lately. He posted just an .895 save percentage over his final 19 starts of the Regular Season and has been plagued by injuries over the last few years. If Price can return to form during these playoffs, then Montreal could surprise some people… but if he continues to struggle, then it could be another early exit for the Canadiens

The coaches that will be under the most pressure in the playoffs

As the NHL season comes to an end, the focus shifts to the Stanley Cup playoffs For some coaches, this is when they thrive. Others, not so much. Here are some of the coaches that will be under the most pressure to deliver a Stanley Cup title this postseason.

1. Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning have been one of the best teams in the NHL over the past few seasons, but they have yet to win a Stanley Cup That puts Cooper in a tough spot heading into this year’s playoffs. If his team fails to win it all again, he will likely be on the hot seat heading into next season.

2. Barry Trotz, New York Islanders
The Islanders have been one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season and they are seeded second in the East heading into the playoffs. That means that expectations are high for Trotz and his team. If they don’t at least make it to the Eastern Conference Finals it will be seen as a disappointment.

3. Bruce Cassidy, Boston Bruins
The Bruins are another team that is expected to make a deep run in this year’s playoffs. They have one of the best rosters in the league and Cassidy is considered one of the top coaches in the NHL. Anything less than a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals will be viewed as a failure in Boston.

4. Gerard Gallant, Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and they are considered one of the favorites to win it all again this year. That puts a lot of pressure on Gallant and his team. If they don’t at least make it back to the Final, it will be considered a huge disappointment in Vegas.

Our predictions for who will win the Stanley Cup

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional Ice Hockey league in North America currently comprising 31 teams: 24 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The Stanley Cup the oldest professional sports trophy in North America is awarded annually to the league playoff champion at the end of each season.

As the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs approaches, we list our predictions for who will be crowned this year’s champion.

1. Tampa Bay Lightning
With a strong lineup including Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov and Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Tampa Bay Lightning are our top choice to take home the Stanley Cup this year. They finished the regular season with 128 points, tying an NHL record set by the Detroit Red Wings in 1996.

2. Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are another top contender for the Stanley Cup this year. They had the second-best record in the NHL during the regular season and boast a lineup that includes Calder Trophy finalist Cale Makar and Hart Trophy finalist Nathan MacKinnon.

3. Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights have been one of the most successful expansion teams in recent memory, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season in 2018. They finished third in the Western Conference this year and have a roster that features Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, and Marc-Andre Fleury.